Little startup carrier is first to buy Boeing 7E7s in U.S.

Byline: David Bowermaster

Oct. 22--Boeing finally has a U.S. launch customer for the 7E7 Dreamliner, but it is a virtually unknown carrier with just one 15-year-old plane in its fleet.

No matter, said Mark Morris, chief executive of Primaris Airlines. If the startup carrier hits his most modest growth projections, he said the $3.8 billion order for 20 737s and 20 7E7s announced yesterday will barely supply enough jets to keep pace with demand.

Las Vegas-based Primaris also plans to secure options to buy 25 more 737s and 15 more 7E7s.

A formal contract has not been signed, but spokespeople for both Boeing and Primaris said they expect the deal to close by the end of November.

To pay for all its new flying machines, Primaris has raised $75 million so far, Morris said, and he expects to have nearly $300 million …